The Gilded Cage (De Morgan)

The Gilded Cage is an oil painting on canvas by the English painter Evelyn De Morgan, from 1919. It was her final work before her death later in the year.

In the painting a woman looks out a window. Her outstretched hand forms a gesture of yearning as she watches a group of dancers and musicians. The principal figure among the travelling group is a woman who dances while holding her baby, suggesting that the scene also represents maternal duty. Broken jewelry and a book lay on the floor.

A bird soars free about the dancers, which contrasts sharply to the captive bird in the gilded cage hanging near the woman's distraught older husband.